Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for January 22, 2026

The daily ladder for Thursday, January 22, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was FOBS to TABS, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was FLAILS to LOBBIES, which needs at least 15.

Each solution below is hidden until you open it, so you can try the puzzle first. A shortest solution is shown for every puzzle; many ladders have more than one path of the same length, so yours may differ and still be optimal.

Puzzle 1: FOBS to TABS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. F becomes C
  3. O becomes A
  4. C becomes T

Words in this ladder

FOBS noun
a vest pocket to hold a pocket watch
COBS noun
nut of any of several trees of the genus Corylus
CABS noun
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
TABS noun
the bill in a restaurant

Puzzle 2: RAP to PEAL

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. add E
  3. P becomes L
  4. R becomes P

Words in this ladder

RAP noun
a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
REAP verb
gather, as of natural products
REAL noun
any rational or irrational number
PEAL noun
a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)

Puzzle 3: SOFT to SHIRK

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  2. F becomes R
  3. add H
  4. O becomes I
  5. T becomes K

Words in this ladder

SOFT adjective
yielding readily to pressure or weight
SORT noun
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
SHORT noun
the location on a baseball field where the shortstop is stationed
SHIRT noun
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
SHIRK verb
avoid (one's assigned duties)

Puzzle 4: SURE to CARAT

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  2. S becomes C
  3. U becomes A
  4. E becomes T
  5. add A

Words in this ladder

SURE adjective
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
CURE noun
a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
CARE noun
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
CART noun
a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal
CARAT noun
a unit of weight for precious stones = 200 mg

Puzzle 5: FLAILS to LOBBIES

Hard Shortest solution: 15 steps

Show the solution
  2. L becomes R
  3. F becomes T
  4. L becomes T
  5. I becomes C
  6. T becomes E
  7. T becomes B
  8. A becomes U
  9. C becomes L
  10. R becomes O
  11. U becomes O
  12. L becomes T
  13. add I
  14. T becomes B
  15. O becomes B
  16. B becomes L

Words in this ladder

FLAILS noun
an implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing
FRAILS noun
the weight of a frail (basket) full of raisins or figs; between 50 and 75 pounds
TRAILS noun
a track or mark left by something that has passed
TRAITS noun
a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
TRACTS noun
an extended area of land
TRACES noun
a just detectable amount
BRACES noun
an appliance that corrects dental irregularities
BRUCES noun
Australian physician and bacteriologist who described the bacterium that causes undulant fever or brucellosis (1855-1931)
BRULES noun
a member of a group of Siouan people who constituted a division of the Teton Sioux
BOULES noun
an inlaid furniture decoration; tortoiseshell and yellow and white metal form scrolls in cabinetwork
BOOLES noun
English mathematician; creator of Boolean algebra (1815-1864)
BOOTES noun
a constellation in the northern hemisphere near Ursa Major
BOOTIES noun
a slipper that is soft and wool (for babies)
BOOBIES noun
an ignorant or foolish person
BOBBIES noun
an informal term for a British policeman
LOBBIES noun
a large entrance or reception room or area

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